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When big-city lawyer, Nolan Anderson, rolls into her small West Texas town, Ferina Kincaid goes into a tailspin of worry over losing her family’s ranch. She knows he’s been hired by town banker and long-time Kincaid nemesis, Lance Morrison, to bring havoc to her world. Morrison owns the land adjacent to Ferina’s property and will stop at nothing to take what is rightfully hers, even if it means digging up the past and hurting innocent bystanders. Dishonest cowhands are cheap in Brewster County, and the banker has enough men and cash to outlast and ruin her with his dirty tricks and vandalism. Hiring Nolan is just the latest of Morrison’s devious shenanigans, which have turned Kincaid Ranch upside-down, and—with more than just her land at stake—Ferina fears she’s no match for this too handsome, smooth-talking lawyer.

AmazonBarnes & NobleKoboSmashwordsExcerpt:Life on the ranch could be tough, but there were ways to blow off steam in West Texas, like dusting high-falutin’ BMW drivers who must be crazy to drive fancy cars on country roads…

“Hey,” BMW said to Patsy, who just happened to be near the door. “Who does that old truck belong to?” Quirking an eyebrow, Patsy smacked her gum three times, paused, and dryly asked, “Which old truck?” She looked pointedly out the window where Bessy was sandwiched between a white Silverado and a tan C/K. West Texas was known to be Chevy country, and all three were equally mud-splattered. BMW waved a manicured hand at Ferina’s baby and pointed. “The green one!” Barbie plucked at his jacket sleeve, but he ignored her and frowned at Patsy. Patsy pursed her lips, made a point to saunter closer to the window, and peered out. She indolently turned back, tucked her pen behind her ear, and asked, “Who wants to know?” The locals were trying to hide grins and smother snickers. There wasn’t much to do in Brewster County, so they got their entertainment however they could. BMW ran a hand through his sun-kissed hair, mussing it, which only made him look hotter. Even with his face reddening and his frown deepening, he was still one of the handsomest men, outside of a movie theater, that Ferina had ever seen. Her hands were damp from the condensation-covered glass. She used a napkin to dry them then took a deep breath and stood. “It’s mine.” She waited a beat. BMW opened his mouth, but before he could speak, she added, “And no, she isn’t for sale.” “I don’t want to buy her!” he sputtered, his shock evident. “Oh, just admiring her then? Thank you. Bessy is indeed a beautiful gal.”About Zari Reede:

Writers extraordinaire, domestic goddesses, lovers of all furry things…Zari Reede is a writing team consisting of Zoe Tasia and Minette Lauren. Both have an addiction to collaborative writing that rivals Oreo Double Stuffed cookies with fine champagne. Writing solo for years, they decided to engage in a writing exercise to strengthen their skills. In the midst they created a funny, romantic tale of a sassy vixen in West Texas. Not taking a breath, they dove back in and brought an urban fantasy-comedy to life that is sure to send readers on an entertaining journey. Zari has two cats, two boys, and a priceless husband who supports all her rebel dreams. Minette Lauren has five dogs, two god-dogs and a wonderful husband that thinks all the things she writes are golden… even if it is horse hockey. We are lucky in life, and love every day we can write.BlogTwitterFacebookInstagramGoodreads

I love spending my summers (or anytime, really) curled up with books by my favorite authors. But there is no better time to discover new-to-me authors than summer! Every year, there are numerous opportunities to sign up for summer reading promotions. With chances to win books and other prizes, these promotions are a great opportunity to discover authors you haven't read.

Coming up in June, your Write Way Cafe hosts are excited to share that we are participating in two events! If you haven't already discovered our books, this is a great opportunity to do so and to discover many other authors and their books.

Need an invite? Leave a message under the RWGW post on Lainee Cole's Facebook page!

We're baaack! Romance Writers Gone Wild is here again for a weeklong romance reader's paradise! June 5th - June 9th, join over 100 romance writers for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways, with a specific day dedicated to your favorite romance genres, and all without leaving the comfort of your home (or changing out of your bunny slippers). There's something for every romance reader -- contemporary to Scottish Highland, romantic suspense to inspirational, paranormal to urban fantasy, and everything in between.

SOUL MATESby Glenys O'Connell, Lynn Crandall, Rachel James, Kathleen Shaputis, Clarissa Ross, and Bea MoonReleases May 29$1.99Cursed wedding gowns, haunted houses, and mischievous ghosts wreak havoc as romance brews in this value-priced digital bundle.The Bride’s Curse: Three brides in a row return a gorgeous vintage wedding dress to Kelly Andrews’s Wedding Bliss store, claiming it’s cursed. Kelly thinks it’s nonsense, but these returns are bad for business, so she’d better get to the bottom of the problem. Researching the gown, she meets Brett Atwell, the handsome nephew of the dress’s original owner, and a mischievous spirit sends the two of them on a goose chase for a groom who went missing decades ago. Will love get its due at long last?Always and Forever Love: Lacy Aegar is comfortable living with her husband’s ghost as they raise their son and run her PI business. That is, until Jackson Carter, the son of powerful and influential business tycoon, starts siphoning her business. But he has an ulterior motive along with his sexy smile, and soon Lacy will have to come to grips not only with her business plans but her feelings about love as well.The Kindred: When it comes to being psychic, Janice Kelly is the best of the best. But she didn’t foresee falling in love with Adrian while fleeing the anger of thwarted ghosts in a haunted house.His Lass Wears Tartan: Independent Rogue Bruce enjoys running a Scottish bed-and-breakfast with the ghosts that walk the halls. Then Bruce MacKenzie, the local heartthrob, suddenly begins hanging around while roguish Jonathan Olson arrives at the castle to teach a writing seminar. With two men after the heart she’d thought safely locked away, Rogue is torn. But when things start to take a sinister turn, only true love can save the day.Jennifer by Moonlight: Lucy Dorset came to Moorgate as the happy bride of a dedicated young doctor. But she soon discovers that the old stone house is inhabited by a pale and lovely ghost, a victim of a fatal romantic triangle long ago. It’s possible the unhappy spirits of Moorgate are pushing Lucy toward a reenactment of a violent, century-old tragedy—and she alone must rid the house of the menacing presence threatening her marriage.That Ol’ Team Spirit: Someone’s haunting the Sharks’s stadium and creating some major league mischief. So psychic Peg Noonan and her granddaughter Trish are determined to discover who’s menacing their concessions stand. With the help of Trish’s high school love, sportswriter Rob Hanks, they just might have a ghost of a (second) chance.Excerpt from Always and Forever Love: Walking into the master bath, Lacey stopped short. “Geez! Now, that’s a bathtub,” she exclaimed. Her voice echoed slightly against the marble tile walls and gray slate floor. Jason waited patiently at the doorway while her gaze moved from one opulent element to another. A large white and gold marble whirlpool tub, deep enough to disappear in, was framed on three sides by frosted glass windows and a small garden of palms and feathery ferns. On another wall stood a shower stall sporting a gold rain-head showerhead and etched glass doors. “Hi, Uncle Jake.” Jason’s greeting jolted Lacey out of her skin. Retreat was impossible. She turned to face the square shoulders, tall frame, and solid jaw of a dark-haired man. “Uncle Jake, I presume?” She wasn’t doing anything wrong, so why did she feel her as though Brad Pitt had just caught her picking her nose? “I know who I am. Who are you and what are you doing in my bathroom?” The man’s voice was clipped velvet. His arm circled Jason protectively. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Lacey Aegar. And as for what I’m doing here…” “I hired her, Uncle Jake. She’s going to find Snickers.” She looked from Jason’s cherubic face and up into the glistening brown eyes of his uncle and felt her composure melt into the cold slate beneath her feet. “Umm…I’m a private investigator. And your nephew has asked me to…” “I think you’ve seen enough, Ms. Private Investigator or gossip columnist or whoever you are.” The man grabbed Lacey’s elbow and began to usher her briskly out of the room. “But Uncle Jake—” “If you’ll just hold on a minute I can explain.” Lacey’s face burned at the man’s insinuation. With Jason at his heels, the man swept Lacey down the stairs and was heading toward the front door, where she spread out her hands and planted them against the hard wood. "Stop,” she demanded, whirling around to face him head-on. “I’m not leaving until I finish what I came here for, and that’s to help Jason find his dog.”

Tell us a little about your book, The Color of Murder.
A sensational murder trial brings a young African American attorney to a Connecticut town to represent a black drug dealer accused of murdering a Caucasian socialite. The attorney is determined to do the best job he can even though he wonders if his client is telling him the truth. And if his client didn’t kill the socialite, who did?If The Color of Murder was made into a movie, who would play your main characters, and why?
The actor Idris Elba would be attorney Kevin Johnson and Alisha Keyes would be Marcia Ramsey.

What or who has been instrumental in or to your writing journey?
I’d have to say that my mother encouraged me along the way to keep writing. But I think my own ideas and thoughts are the reason I became a writer in the first place. I seemed to be connected with an outside place, a dimension, a realm forming my thoughts.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve been given? What’s your best writing advice for others?
The best advice came from those who said, ‘Keep writing’ whoever they were. And that’s the advice I give, ‘Keep writing’!What “keepers” are in your home library? Blood Meridian, A Man in Full, all of the works of Toni Morrison, some books of poetry, a couple of autobiographies and so many other books.

If you could be a character in any book you’ve read (or written), which character would you be and why?
I think I wouldn’t mind being the character, Marcia Ramsey in The Color of Murder. She’s pretty, smart and leads a good, interesting, successful life.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?
I think it was with The Color of Murder. I had to find someone to help the main character seek out the person who killed the socialite if it turned out his client wasn’t the killer.

What book do you wish you could have written?
Maybe Gone With The Wind, however, there are many books that have impressed me, and I wish I’d authored.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism might have come from editors. Editors can come down really hard on writers. I won’t name them, but best compliment about my work came from a publisher.

We’re adding books to our Café menu. Would your book be a drink, an appetizer, an entrée or a dessert? What would you call it?
It would be an entrée I’d call, “Chef’s Surprise.”

What is your favorite social media? Why?
I guess Facebook, but also LinkedIn and Twitter.

Tell us about the book in your closet.
My second short story collection just made a start out of the closet.

And now for the fun stuff!

If you were a punctuation mark, what would you be?
I’d be a Question Mark or an Exclamation Point.

If you aren’t a full-time writer, what is your day job?
I’m a full-time writer/ homemaker.

Are you a glass half empty or glass half full personality?
I’m a glass Half Full personality for sure!What is something you do that people would be surprised at?
I enjoy performing as a singer or playing piano or doing them together.

What is your favorite season and why?
I’d say that Fall is my favorite.

A sensational murder trial brings a young African American attorney, Kevin Johnson to Briarton, Connecticut to represent a black drug dealer accused of murdering a Caucasian socialite, Charlotte Knowles. Kevin does his best to defend his client, even though he knows the real reason his two white law partners have given him this high-profile case is that he's black and so is the client. Even though he's the "token-minor" partner, Kevin is still determined to do the best job he can. But is his client telling him the truth? And if he didn't kill Charlotte Knowles, who did?AmazonBarnes & Noble NookBarnes and Noble paperbackKoboSmashwords

About Loretta: I’m an African American female multi-published writer, residing in Dover, Delaware. Published works include:THE COLOR OF MURDER under contract with Black Opal Books, BOTTOM TALES AND OTHERS with Leo Publishing, THE LIGHT OF DAY and THE WAY OF LOVE both with Extasy Books. Other published works include poetry and essays, plus several plays published. Many of my ‘Plays’ have been stage productions-I’ve enjoyed a long-time association with the theatre. Ghostwriting is another area in which I work. I’ve also been published in several journals and magazines, and contribute to a church newsletter. I have a college degree in English, I have received literary and theatrical recognition, I belong to an honor society and other laudable organizations, and I volunteer in my community and my church. I frequently speak at venues doing readings of my work. I have LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and many other social contacts as well. My next writing project keeps me busy.Email me: vlmprod@aol.comLinkedIn: lorettamooreFacebook: wwwlorettamoorefacebook.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/MooViney

Homicide detectives Michael McConnell and Aaron Simmons of the Columbus (Ohio) Police Department investigate the brutal murders of two women. There are no witnesses and few clues, except for unfamiliar words the killer has printed in lipstick on each victim―words which have demonic connotations, making the detectives wonder if they are dealing with a serial killer or a demon from Hell. As McConnell and Simmons dig for the truth, they discover a decades-old third murder with the same MO. This victim had ties to The Paradise Coven, a mysterious club that may be responsible for all three murders. Unfortunately, the terrible secret the detectives unravel may have far-reaching consequences.Black Opal BooksAmazonBarnes and NobleGoodreadsSmashwordsKOBOiTunesScribd

Bentley Wells, a pseudonym, is a native of Kentucky. Under his legal name he has written several short stories and numerous poems that have been published in literary magazines and anthologies. His nonfiction includes articles in journals, chapters in books, entries in encyclopedias, and several books. The Paradise Coven is his first novel.

The Write Way Café welcomes Bentley Wells, who shares his love of writing mysteries as well as non-fiction.

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book?
When I was in high school, which was years ago.

What was your path to getting this book written and published? What type of research did you do?
I wrote the first draft years ago. I worked on the second and third drafts in between other projects (I write nonfiction, too). Then I went to websites of publishers that publish mysteries. I made sure I sent in whatever these publishers requested. Many required the first few chapters. Eventually, a publisher asked for the entire manuscript. Then another. I had at least three publishers interested in the novel at different times. Two of the three no longer exist. I accepted the contract from Black Opal Books, which is on MWA’s approved publishers list.
Regarding research, although I lived in Columbus for several months when I was in my teens, I had to research the city. I wanted to make sure I remembered certain areas, for instance. I had to research police procedures even though years ago I had read a lot of printed matter about how investigations should be conducted. Then I had to research witchcraft, which is discussed by one of the characters in the novel. I conducted searches online, but I learned the most about investigations and witchcraft from books.

Where did the idea for your story come from?
The idea for the novel actually came from a short story I wrote years ago. I had completed the first draft of the short story, but I had not polished it. One day I found it and started reading. I realized that I liked following two detectives as they investigated crimes. Of course, the plot in the short story is not the same as the plot in The Paradise Coven. In fact, the detectives are different. For instance, in the short story the detectives are older and have different names. They are completely different from the detectives in the novel. On the other hand, the leading suspect in the short story is similar to the leading suspect in The Paradise Coven. Of course, readers learn more about this suspect in the novel.

Why did you pick the setting you did?
Primarily because I am familiar with the area. As I mentioned, I lived there for several months when I was younger. Not only that, I have been there several times over the years. I like the area.

Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself?
The main characters are imaginary. I don’t know anyone who’s a detective. However, certain experiences that a few characters have are based on what I have read or observed over the years.

Did you face any blocks while writing the book, and if so, how did you handle them? If not, what's your secret?
I became frustrated whenever something didn’t seem to work (like a character saying something or doing something that didn’t seem normal for the character). This is one of the reasons I worked so long on the novel. I handled such problems by reading the novel again and again. I wanted to make sure the characters seemed real, authentic. I wanted to make sure the plot worked. I also asked a lot of “What if . . . ?” questions. I did this for what the characters said and did, for instance. I also did this for the plot. This question and the answer helped more than once to overcome any blocks I had.

What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after?
Realizing how difficult writing fiction can be, especially when one hasn’t attempted it in years. I wrote short stories years ago. A few of these were published in literary magazines.

What did you learn? For instance, what did you learn about yourself, your process, the writing world; about murderers and homicide detectives?
I learned that if I stuck to it I could tell an interesting story―at least, I think it’s interesting. I learned that writing fiction, especially a novel, is not easy. On the other hand, I have to admit that once I got into writing the novel, the story, in places, seemed to write itself by the characters’ actions and dialogue. Perhaps this is because of the novel being a so-called police procedural, I don’t know.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you.
I have an office that has books, including a dictionary and thesaurus, and a computer and printer. This particular place has worked for me for years. It works because (1) it is away from the rest of the house and (2) I’m used to it.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
I read a lot of nonfiction, especially history, and fiction. Regarding the latter, I enjoy reading mysteries. For instance, I’ve read several by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, James M. Cain, Raymond Chandler, John D. MacDonald, Stuart Woods, Linwood Barclay, and numerous other writers over the years. Whether I have any favorite mysteries, well, I certainly liked The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity by Cain. People may have seen the films based on these novels, but they should read the books. Cain’s characters have flaws, just like actual people, and his plots move along at a fast pace, which I appreciate. I also enjoy reading fiction by Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John O’Hara, and Erskine Caldwell, to mention a few. These writers have written excellent examples of modern fiction. O’Hara, for instance, captured small-town Pennsylvania during the 1900s. Read, for instance, his Appointment in Samarra. Caldwell captured the south, especially Georgia, during the same period. Of course, many of his characters were from the lower rungs of the economic ladder.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on another mystery set in a small town in Oklahoma (I lived in this state during the 1980s). It concerns a young man who returns home after learning that his father has been murdered. He investigates and eventually learns who killed his father and why. He also learns about his father, too.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre? Which one and why?
As mentioned, I write nonfiction primarily because I enjoy it. Nonfiction encourages me to conduct research, which I enjoy. Research helps me learn about subjects I don’t know much about and it helps me stay abreast of subjects I know something about.

If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be?
Teaching in a college or university, which I did for more than thirty years.

What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble?
I would say developing the story. This could be because of my asking “What if . . . ?” all the time. In other words, as a result of asking this when I’m writing fiction, I tend to make changes. These changes may apply to what a character says or does, as mentioned earlier. Such changes slow the actual writing. But I wouldn’t do it any other way because I believe the changes improve the story.

With Mother’s Day a few short days away, thoughts of moms have been front and center. Moms play an important role in many lives. Professional athletes often mention their moms when talking about their upbringing, and who is their strongest supporter. Authors write about good men raised by strong women. These moms are women who led their children by example, and who taught them right from wrong. Moms believe in their children, and encourage them to chase their own dreams. My mom has always encouraged me to chase my dreams. When I was younger, and just getting started writing, my mom and I had big plans. We both love to read, and often talked about how much fun we could have traveling together to do research. She would take notes and I would do the writing. Unfortunately, those plans have never come to fruition. But we still enjoy talking about our favorite authors and discussing books we’ve read, and we both have a large collection of books that our husbands wish would disappear. We may not have traveled for research but after I lived in California for a year, Mom flew out to help me move back home to Illinois. We spent a few days sightseeing – the highlights were Disneyland, Universal Studios, and seeing Cats at the Shubert Theatre. Then we spent the long drive home talking, telling stories, laughing and just having a great road trip – making memories we still talk about to this day. Although she lives only 30 minutes away, I haven’t been spending as much time with my mom as I should. We’re both busy with our own lives, but we share things on Facebook and tag each other often, and I make a point to call her at least once a week to check in. She’s not as young as she used to be, and for some reason, she is reluctant to call me unless something is wrong. I remind her that the phone works both ways and encourage her to call me, too, but she doesn’t want to bother me. Friends tell me their mothers do the same thing. It must be something to do with her age. As I reflect on how important my mom has been to me, I can acknowledge that she wasn’t always thrilled with my decisions, but she always believed in me and trusted me to do the right thing. Being a parent myself, I realize how hard that is to do. You raise your kids up to set them free in the world, and yet it’s the scariest thing ever. What if they need you? What if they make mistakes? How can you save them the heartbreak that you’ve experienced? Mom put her faith in God and was the best role model she could be for us, and I am thankful every day for her example. I am proud to say that we have long been friends, as well as mother and daughter. Being a mother, too, I recognize that all moms probably want the same thing: We want our children to be happy. What’s that old saying? If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Today, and not just on mother’s day – make a mom happy. It doesn’t have to be your mom – it could be your aunt or your daughter, a friend, or even a stranger. Share a smile, some flowers, a book, or just a kind word. It will touch her heart, and yours as well.

The Write Way Café welcomes Beth Caudill with her Enchanted by Destiny, Paranormals of Arilase series. She shares how she finds fantasy in reality.When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? Was that first thought related to writing romance? After my second child was born and I knew I was going to be a stay-at-home-mom for several more years. I’ve always had stories in my head but I never considered writing them down until I’d been going stir-crazy at home. My first thought was writing science fiction but I didn’t have the brain cycles to deal with the research. (Anyone with kids will tell you that the mind becomes Swiss cheese.) I love the idea of space exploration but dragons and magic kept popping into my head. Fantasy romance became my focus after that.What was your path to getting this book written and published? What type of research did you do? I had some initial ideas for the story, but it wasn’t right. I put it aside to write the first story in my fantasy with romantic elements series. Once I came back to it and decided to change the setting to Arilase the story progressed much faster. Because it is a novella, I’m self-publishing the whole series. I did some minor research into treehouses, gemstones and private lake settings. The majority of my research centered on creating spells for my heroine to use. I’m not very good with rhyming and wanted some ideas on how to get what I wanted out of the spell and still have it sound like a spell. The reference source I used was Deborah Blake’s Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook.Where did the idea for your story come from? It is hard for me to define inspiration for Enchanted by Destiny because I started and stopped the story a few times. However, I was influenced a bit by the release of the live-action version of Maleficent. Sleeping Beauty has always been a favorite fairy tale of mine. The Dark Elf’s curse and my Hero falling into a coma was influenced by this. Also the evil mastermind at the end of the story was influenced by the Cheshire Cat from Disney’s animated movie. The image of the smiling cat disappearing has stuck with me.Why did you pick the setting you did? I’m not sure where I developed the idea, but for me, elves belong in a forest. Archery, grace, stealth and a bit of magic all fit. They can exist in a small town if they have too, but not a big city. Most of all, I wanted to create a small village of treehouses.Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself? The characters in Enchanted by Destiny are imaginary. I found a few pictures on shutterstock that matched the image in my head and off I wrote. Caitlyn from Assassin’s Soul and especially Evelyn in Tethered possess the most qualities that I identify with. Clairessa - https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-sensuality-teen-girl-long-straight-69791017 Rowe - https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-young-handsome-guy-on-beach-113805649Did you face any blocks while writing the book, and if so, how did you handle them? If not, what's your secret? My initial idea for this story involved werelions and city streets. Yet I couldn’t really come up with a plot that worked. When I decided to ditch the lions and place the story on Arilase (my fantasy supernatural world), everything came together. Time seems to be the best thing for me and solving the issues I come up against while writing.What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after? The biggest surprise was discovering that the spell book company Claire worked for existed within a living tree. The computers connected to the tree and could reach a collective knowledgebase. It’s a minor detail in one of the chapters but it was my biggest surprise while I was writing.What did you learn? For instance, what did you learn about yourself, your process, the writing world; about elves and spell books? From this book, I know I can complete a story and publish it. Lately, I’ve been having problems completing stories. Because I worked through the plot issues in Enchanted by Destiny, even if I need to change something…I will eventually be able to write The End. While my elves may be a bit secretive, they are very traditional and protective. There are some basic spells that everyone learns but the more proficient enchanters will create their own spells. Creating spells should be undertaken with reverence for the Goddess and beneficial intent.Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you. My main writing space is a desk upstairs in my bonus room. I like being able to close the door and lock out most of the noise from my boys. When I sent my oldest to a private school last year, I coopted his desk in my downstairs dining room. A lot of natural light comes in through the front windows.What are some of your favorite books and why? The Black Jewels series by Anne Bishop. I love the characters and magic. Wars of Light and Shadows series by Janny Wurts. Long epic fantasy series. I love the politics, magic and worldbuilding. Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I love the characters. Psy/Changling series by Nalini Singh. I love her worldbuilding and politicsWhat are you working on now? I’ve completed the first draft of the third book in my Paranormal or Arilase series. I need to complete a few rounds of edits before I can release it. I’m behind on my deadline for the second in my contribution to the Zodiac Shifters books. This one is supposed to be a Gemini character. We’ll see how it goes.Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre? Which one and why? I’ve considered stories in science fiction or gothic romance. I’m apprehensive about the Gothic story because I’m not sure I can write it dark enough.If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be? My dream job would be to have someone pay me to research stuff. I love learning new things—as evidenced by my own library. I use any excuse to buy some cool book. Shhh. Don’t tell me husband.What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble? Knowing my characters. It’s always a journey for me to learn about them as I write. Then I have to go back and make sure I fix the beginning because usually something was left out or I disclosed it the wrong way.Who is your favorite hero/heroine? My favorite hero is Liam from Healer’s Fate. I have a soft spot for Alpha werewolves. He can be strong and protective but still empower Corliss to act for herself. Evelyn from Tethered is my favorite heroine. I’ve always wanted to fly and it’s her favorite activity. Plus, she has traveled the world which my introverted heart envies.

In a land ruled by magic, can two elves break a dark curse and forge a new destiny together? Clairessa Bellehaven may be a princess, but she’s also the loneliest elf in Wildeloch. She spends her days analyzing spell books, and her nights dreaming of someone to share her life. This seems unlikely, after her betrothed, Prince Rowe deserted her and her latest beau betrayed her trust. Surely just one night of passion with a handsome elf will do no harm … that is, unless the Goddess finds out. Rowe Calder, elf clan prince, can no longer delay returning home if he is to save his family’s livelihood. But once there, he finds himself under the spell of his lovely bondmate, Princess Clairessa—the woman destined to cause his death. He’s a powerful elvish prince, surely he dares risk one tryst with her.But there is no hiding from the vindictive curse cast long ago. Rowe will have to fight for the safety of everyone he loves, including Clairessa. And Clairessa must use the most powerful spell of all to save her prince—love. Will it be enough when the dark elf comes to claim a soul?Excerpt Claire watched him walk to the bar. The view of his back, particularly his ass, was almost as enticing to stare at as the front. His long amber honey hair swished behind him and his scent, the tangy zip of orange, hung in the air like the fragrance from her orange-scented geranium. On his way back, blue, green and gold colored eyes held her gaze, and her insides quivered with nervous energy. He was a delicious sweet, mixed with the allure of a hunter's confidence, like the tree lynx in search of prey. A moment of indecision gripped her. Dating an elf would be problematic with the betrothal contract hanging over her head. But he tempted every part of her and their liaison would be fleeting. For one night, she could revel in the touch of another elf and embrace the wildness he called within her. He returned with a cone-shaped glass, filled with a white liquor colored with the faintest tinge of blush and placed it in front of her. She twirled the toothpick with a winterberry on the end and raised an eyebrow at him. "I didn't order this." "It's a club special." His eyes and smile dared her to turn him down. "I hear they're very popular with the female guests. Surely tonight is a time for experimentation?" Accepting his lure, she drained half the concoction. Tartness exploded on her tongue and burned her throat, but she was never one to back away. Staring into his eyes, she licked her lips. "Delicious." His quiet moan sent a distinctly feminine thrill through her. Knowing a man appreciated her attributes brightened her mood. Group laughter and the stamp of many feet heralded the arrival of at least ten people. Quickly, the remaining tables filled and they could hardly hear each other above the din. Her spirits took a downturn with the numerous arrivals. She'd enjoyed the quiet privacy. A loud clatter disrupted every conversation as a lion shifter shoved a satyr into a table and it splintered under his weight. The goat-man rose, stomped his hooves and laughed, oblivious to the unhappy stares directed his way. "Perhaps you'd like to take this elsewhere?" Rowe whispered in her ear.eBook available at AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksKoboGooglePrint edition available at AmazonBarnes and NobleBooks-a-Million
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WebsiteNewsletterEmail: beth@bethcaudill.net TwitterFacebookPinterestGoodreadsAmazon Author PageBookbub Author PageAlthough Beth grew up in West Virginia, she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two sons and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who makes an excellent lap warmer. Blending the analytical and creative sides of her brain, she delights in creating fantasy worlds for others. Catch her online most days except when NCIS and Once Upon a Time air.

A sensational murder trial brings a young African American attorney, Kevin Johnson to Briarton, Connecticut to represent a black drug dealer accused of murdering a Caucasian socialite, Charlotte Knowles. Kevin does his best to defend his client, even though he knows the real reason his two white law partners have given him this high-profile case is that he's black and so is the client. Even though he's the "token-minority" partner, Kevin is still determined to do the best job he can. But is his client telling him the truth? And if he didn't kill Charlotte Knowles, who did?AmazonBarnes & Noble NookBarnes and Noble paperbackKoboSmashwords

About Loretta: I’m an African American female multi-published writer, residing in Dover, Delaware. Published works include: THE COLOR OF MURDER under contract with Black Opal Books, BOTTOM TALES AND OTHERS with Leo Publishing, THE LIGHT OF DAY and THE WAY OF LOVE both with Extasy Books. Other published works include poetry and essays, plus several plays published. Many of my ‘Plays’ have been stage productions-I’ve enjoyed a long-time association with the theatre. Ghostwriting is another area in which I work. I’ve also been published in several journals and magazines, and contribute to a church newsletter. I have a college degree in English, I have received literary and theatrical recognition, I belong to an honor society and other laudable organizations, and I volunteer in my community and my church. I frequently speak at venues doing readings of my work. I have LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and many other social contacts as well. My next writing project keeps me busy.Email me: vlmprod@aol.comLinkedIn: lorettamooreFacebook: wwwlorettamoorefacebook.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/MooViney